Law and order and employment quotas in natural resource rich areas were the main concerns of Senators. Almost a third of the 100th session’s duration was spent in the PPPP and ANP led criticisms of government, amid an overall atmosphere of low attendance and participation, says the Free and Fair Election Network in its report based on direct observation of the Senate.

Criticizing the federal and provincial governments for failing to maintain law and order, legislators highlighted the need for a counter-terrorism strategy in Pakistan and Afghanistan by moving a Motion under Rule 218. The Senators also aired grievances about the failure of the Karachi operation and missing persons in Balochistan. A general discussion on law and order took place with an emphasis on attacks on political party workers and candidates in KP and criticism of PTI led provincial government.

On average, a maximum of 34 senators were present at any given sitting and lack of quorum was never pointed out during the session. Similarly, 55% of the membership abstained from taking part in the session, whether through submitting agenda, or participating in debates, or both.

Regional tensions were highlighted in another motion under rule 218. An ANP legislator called for shifting of the State Bank of Pakistan from Karachi to Islamabad, and was opposed by an MQM Senators who stressed the need to retain it in the industrial hub of the country. Similarly, disparity in provincial employment quotas in natural resource rich areas like Hangu was highlighted through a Motion under Rule 60, while the Senators from KP and Balochistan lamented lack of adequate quotas for local employment in energy projects.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) were discussed through Motions under Rule 218. A PPPP member criticized the ECP for irregularities in the electoral process in General Elections 2013. The criticism was regarding the scrutiny and rejection of candidates’ papers, use of fake CNICs, bogus and missing votes etc. While a PML-N member defended the elections as having been fair in light of feedback given by international observers, the House called for reforms in the ECP to ensure its authority and independence.

A PPPP member questioned the relevance of the CII for reviewing the laws of the country for compliance with the Islamic ideology. It was in the context of the CII’s statement declaring DNA evidence to be inadmissible as primary evidence in rape cases (admissible only as supporting evidence), and was rebutted by members from the JUI-F and other parties who stressed the continued importance of the Council. The JUI-F member criticized the PPPP government for not having dispensed with the Council during their tenure.

Introduction of two pro-women private members’ bills – the Anti-Rape Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2013, and the Protection against Harassment of women at the Workplace (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was a welcome legislative output. The Amendment prohibits revealing the identity of rape victims by printing or publishing their names without permission of the investigation officer, the victim, or the next of kin of the victim. The Bill amends previous laws to make them applicable to students in educational institutions on matters relating to the pursuit of studies or employment.

Other Bills introduced during the session include the Domestic Workers (Employment Rights) Bill, 2013 aimed at protecting the rights of the domestic workers by regulating their employment and conditions of service and to provide them social security, safety, health facility and welfare.

The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2013 bars civil servants from serving in international organizations unless “deputed on behalf of the government”. The Constitution (Twenty second Amendment) Bill, 2013 prohibits dual nationals from serving in the armed forces, judiciary and from running for public office. To promote good governance and economic development, another two Bills [the Privatization Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the Trade Organizations (Amendment) Bill, 2014] respectively emphasize the privatization of state entities in a transparent manner and formation of an autonomous body – to ensure effective representation of industries of Pakistan.

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